Selenium, Iodine and Iron-Essential Trace Elements for Thyroid Hormone Synthesis and Metabolism.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review describing biological mechanisms without systematic methodology or original data.
PubMed 36834802 · doi:10.3390/ijms24043393
What was done
This narrative review describes the physiological and biochemical roles of three essential trace elements—iodine, selenium, and iron—in thyroid hormone synthesis, regulation, and protection against oxidative stress in humans and vertebrate models.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative results or empirical trial data. It details biological mechanisms: iron acts as an essential cofactor for thyroperoxidase (a hemoprotein); iodine is transported via the sodium-iodide symporter and incorporated into thyroglobulin via H2O2-dependent oxidation; and selenoproteins provide both antioxidant defense against local H2O2/reactive oxygen species and mediate deiodinase activity for peripheral thyroid hormone activation and inactivation.
Why it matters
Understanding the interplay of these three micronutrients clarifies the biological basis of thyroid dysfunction, illustrating why combined nutritional deficiencies exacerbate disorders of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.
Limits
The review presents mechanistic and descriptive summaries without systematic search criteria, quality appraisal of cited literature, or clinical trial outcome metrics.
Cited by
- supports Adequate iron levels are required for proper thyroid function and thyroid hormone synthesis.